SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, Calif. Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra (D-Pacoima) introduced legislation to bring equity to our criminal justice laws, by ensuring that use of false immigration documents carries the same penalties as use of a fake driver’s license. AB 222 would amend Section 114 of the California Penal Code, a provision enacted in 1994 as part of Proposition 187, a largely unconstitutional attempt to fight the perceived ills of illegal immigration and punish undocumented immigrants in California.

“Today, if an underage college student uses a fake ID to purchase a six-pack of beer, he or she can be charged with a misdemeanor,” said Assemblymember Bocanegra. “However, if an immigrant is caught using that same fake ID, he or she is automatically charged with a felony and is subject to five years in prison. This is fundamentally unfair.”

Currently, individuals convicted of using false documents to conceal one’s immigration status are convicted of a mandatory felony, punishable by five years in prison or a fine of $25,000. In contrast, a felony conviction for assault with a handgun is punishable by two to four years in state prison. A bomb threat is a misdemeanor. AB 222 would amend the Penal Code to ensure that use of false documents to conceal one’s immigrations status carries the same weight as possessing a false or counterfeit driver’s license, a crime which can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, subject to the District Attorney’s discretion. Since the legislation amends Prop. 187, it will require a two-thirds vote of the legislature.

“Prop. 187 was an ill-intentioned, unconstitutional initiative that specifically targeted undocumented immigrants,” said Assemblymember Bocanegra. “Unfortunately, our federal government has failed to learn from past mistakes in our history. AB 222 reiterates the Legislature’s commitment to protecting California’s immigrant community.”

Raul Bocanegra is the Democratic Majority Whip in the California State Assembly. He represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Granada Hills, Lakeview Terrace, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Shadow Hills, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga.

Christopher Simmons has been a working journalist since his first magazine sale in 1984. He has since written for wide variety of print and online publications covering lifestyle, tech and entertainment. He is an award-winning author, designer, photographer, and musician. He is a member of ASCAP and PRSA. He is the founder and CEO of Neotrope®, based in Torrance, CA, USA.